Hydrotherapy comes from two Greek words Hydro meaning water
and therapy meaning treatment, in other words Hydrotherapy means the use of
water in any of its three forms (Solid, Liquid, or Steam) either externally or
internally to restore health.
WHY WATER IS VALUABLE AS A THERAPEUTIC AGENT.
1. It is generally available and cheap.
2. It does not cause irritation either externally or
internally.
3. Its ability to change from solid to liquid to steam and
back again.
4. It can be recycled and reused.
5. Water gives up heat rapidly, yet it does not cool too
rapidly.
6. It is universal solvent.
7. Easy to apply.
8. Great power for absorbing and releasing heat.
9. Proper viscosity
10. Proper density for buoyancy.
The chemistry behind hydrotherapy.
Good circulation of good blood leads to good health.
Hydrotherapy functions majorly by increasing proper
circulation and the production of white blood cells.
Due to the skin been connected to every organ in the body
through the nervous and circulatory systems, change in the temperature of the
skin via water application either cold or hot or warm will stimulate or sedate
specific systems or organs through nervous sensation.
Water therapy works because it
provides the main needs of the cell which are oxygen, water, nutrition,
elimination, and protection from toxic and harmful or unhealthy substance.
Cells been the building block for our body's tissue, organs, and systems means that healthy cells will definitely result to a
healthy organs, and systems.
How does hydrotherapy satisfy
these basic needs of the cell?
When the temperature of body is
increased generally (E.G. steam bath) or specifically to an area(E. G. Hot foot bath), there is a
drastic increase in blood flow or circulation leading to sweating, thus toxins
are removed from the body and congestion of the blood in any part of the body
is relieved, because of the even circulation, there is increased transportation
of nutrients and oxygen throughout the body and readily supply to the cells.
There is always a stimulation of
the immune system leading to a multiplication of the white blood cells, they
become more active when the body temperature is increased, this results to
relieve of pains and fever, promotion of relaxation and rest.
THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECT OF HOT
AND COLD WATER.
Understanding the physiological
effects of water at varied temperatures is required for the optimization of its
benefits.
HEAT
1. Decreases stiffness in
arthritis.
2. Decreases muscle pain and
spasm.
3. Increases hemorrhage
4. Increases edema production.
5. Increases blood flow.
6. Increases inflammatory response
COLD
1. Increases stiffness in
arthritis
2. Decreases muscle pain and spasm
3. Decreases hemorrhage
4. Decreases edema production
5. Decreases blood flow.
6. Decreases the inflammatory
response.